Niger Delta
Rep Member Lauds Oba’s Appointment As NOUN Chancellor
The member representing Ovia Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Rep. Dennis Idahosa (APC -Edo), has lauded the appointment of the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, as Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), saying it has opened new vista for the institution.
In a statement issued last Saturday in Benin, he commended President Muhammadu Buhari, for the appointment.
Idahosa, who is the Chairman of the House Committee on Legislative Compliance, said the appointment came at a time when the distance learning institution was in dire need to turn around its fortune and become one of the best around the continent and indeed the world.
He noted that not only would the Oba’s wealth of experience come in handy in this quest, his fatherly role was also needed to galvanise this growth.
Idahosa said NOUN seemed to have been weighed down with a number of challenges, but expressed optimism that the appointment would bridge the gap among the conventional universities system in Nigeria.
The lawmaker particularly stressed the need for NOUN to improve on students access and use of ICT for efficient learning process.
“I can’t appreciate the President enough for this appointment because what he has succeeded in doing is to put a square peg in a square hole.
“Oba of Benin’s wealth of experience will count at this critical time when the demand for quality education, especially at the tertiary level, is in high demand.
“The demand for university education, especially for the busy Nigerians who desire university education was what necessitated the setting up of NOUN.
“The university has done a lot to bridge the gap between the conventional universities, but more still needed to be done for NOUN to operate at the standard of which it was established.
“This is exactly where the appointment of our revered Oba comes into play. His knowledge of what is obtainable in other clime and experiences in the Nigeria university system will come in handy.
“I can only appeal to the management team of the NOUN, who have also been doing their best for the progress of the institution, to cooperate and work with the traditional ruler for the betterment of all”, he said.
The Federal Government had announced the appointment of Ewuare II, Oba of Benin, as the Chancellor of NOUN.
The appointment was communicated to the Oba when Prof. Olufemi Peters, the Vice Chancellor of the University and other management staff paid him a courtesy visit at the palace in Benin.
During the visit, Prof. Olufemi had given insight into the workforce plan of the school and assured the Oba that fortunes of the university would improve tremendously with him as the Chancellor.
“The reason this university was established by the Federal Government is to bring university education to as many Nigerians, wherever they are and whatever their circumstances or social hindrances may be.
“We are in every state of this country, serving every area. We have over 120,000 students. It is the biggest university in Nigeria”, he had stated.
In his response, the traditional ruler accepted his appointment and commended President Muhammadu Buhari for finding him worthy of the position.
Oba Ewuare II promised to bring his wealth of experience to bear in the discharge of his duties and leverage on his experience during his diplomatic sojourn, to improve teaching and learning in the university with the support of its management team.
The Rivers State Commissioner for Urban Development and Physical Planning, Rt Hon Evans Bipi, has eulogised Gen Gabriel Asabuja over his recent birthday celebration in Port Harcourt.
Bipi said Asabuja is worth celebrating following his numerous contributions and support to the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
He described Asabuja as a strong pillar of governance in Rivers State, adding that the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning is happy working with him.
He noted that Asabuja’s position as a team leader of the Ministry’s taskforce has been amazing, saying the Ministry is proud associating with him.
The former lawmaker hinted that since Asabuja assumed office as leader of the taskforce, the Ministry has witnessed tremendous improvement.
Bipi said the Ministry will always stand by him to ensure that the dreams of the Governor Fubara-led government are achieved.
On his part, the celebrant, Gen Gabriel Asabuja expressed gratitude to God and the Commissioner for the honour done him.
Gen Asabuja also commended Governor Fubara for his tremendous and good leadership in the State, saying his group will continue to give the Governor maximum support in order to achieve more for Rivers people.
Gen Asabuja described Rt Hon Evans Bipi as one of the best brains working with the Governor, saying under Bipi, the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning has shown capacity to leverage on the Governor’s mantra of Rivers First.
He said both the personnel of the Ministry, the Directors and adhoc staff are happy with his style of leadership.
The Joint Provincial Council, East of the Niger, Anglican Communion, held its 2025 Annual General Meeting at St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery, Diocese of Evo from Saturday 15th — Sunday 16th February, 2025.
The meeting which had the theme, “Kept By His Mercies”, with text from Lamentations 3:22-23, had the Archbishops, Bishops, their wives, Chancellors, Financial Secretaries and Synod Clerical Secretaries of the 58 Dioceses as delegates.
At the opening ceremony on Saturday, the Dean of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and Chairman of the Council, Most Rev Blessing Enyindah, charged delegates to stay focused and committed to the matters for discussion and implement decisions reached for the growth of the Church in the region and the advancement of the business of God’s Kingdom.
Most Rev Enyindah, who is also the Archbishop of the Niger Delta Province and Bishop of the Diocese of Ikwerre, lauded the Diocese of Evo for the giant strides recorded in just 15 years of existence while tasking the leadership not to rest on its oars but to strive further to complete the work of the Kingdom in their hands.
Addressing the council in his welcome address, the Bishop of the Diocese of Evo and host of the Joint Council, The Rt Rev Innocent Ordu, welcomed the delegates, and reminded them that the theme is apt and fit as it reminds the Church of God’s inexplicable and instructible mercy towards mankind, which supersedes His righteous judgements.
Bishop Ordu further lamented the many challenges bedeviling the country, such as skyrocketing cost of living, ravaging sicknesses and ailments, proliferation of harmful drugs, natural disasters, high level corruption in public offices, inept political leadership, amongst others, which he said could not consume mankind because of God’s mercies.
In their separate speeches, delegates saluted the Diocese of Evo for willingly accepting to host the council and the comfort they enjoyed during their stay.
Earlier, the council appointed the Synod’s Clerical Secretary of the Diocese of Evo, Rev (Canon) (Dr) Ebenezer Owhor as the Assistant Secretary of the Joint Council.
Also, before the commencement of plenary, the women of St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery thrilled delegates to good traditional tunes and dance steps while His Royal Highness Eze( Sir) Raymond Chinda led the chiefs and elders of Rumuomasi community in Oropotoma Kingdom, to appreciate the council for choosing the community to host the meeting.
They solicited for prayers of peace, unity and development from the council.
The meeting ended on Sunday evening while the Archbishops and Bishops worshipped in various churches in the Diocese of Evo.